Callaway County will revisit former sheriff’s pay after peace officer’s license decision
CALLAWAY COUNTY, Mo. (KMIZ)
Former Callaway County Sheriff Clay Chism was removed from office in June, and has since been paid more than $46,000.
The Callaway County Human Resources Department told ABC 17 News in an email that Chism has made $46,452 since June 9, a few days before he was removed from office.
Chism was removed from office after his peace officer's license was suspended. This came after reports of Chism drinking and buying alcohol on the job. The move was made pending the outcome of investigations.
A Callaway County commissioner said Chism is continuing to be paid because they say he is an elected official who has temporarily been removed from office.
"Here's the facts: Clay Chism was the elected county sheriff. He's been temporarily taken out of his office, and until he's permanently taken out of his office, he should be paid, in our opinion," Callaway County Eastern District Commissioner Randall Kleindienst said.
When asked if there has been debate over how Chism's pay should be handled, Kleindienst said everyone is welcome to an opinion, but the commission has decided to continue to pay him. He said they will revisit the issue after a decision is reached on his peace officer's license status.
A hearing over Chism's peace officer license is scheduled for Nov. 3 with the state Administrative Hearing Commission. Chism cannot hold office without a peace officer's license.
"This needs to be taken care of, one way or the other," Kleindienst said. "Obviously, I have certain hopes there, but my real hope is for the people of our county to have this solved, to come to a conclusion. So, we're waiting to see what that'll be, and hopefully Nov. 3 is a date that will tell us quite a bit."
Kleindienst said he hopes the issue can be resolved before the end of the year.
ABC 17 News reached out to Chism's attorney, James Towey, for comment.
Chism was also charged in 2022 for driving while intoxicated and resisting arrest. A trial for those charges is set to take place in Randolph County in December.
